Boeing Debuts 1st Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet

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UNITED STATES - 8 JULY 2009

ST. LOUIS, July 8, 2009 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today unveiled the first of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during a ceremony at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' production facilities in St. Louis. The aircraft will be delivered later this month, three months ahead of schedule.

"The Super Hornet is on its way to delivering advanced combat capabilities to the Royal Australian Air Force," said Bob Gower, Boeing vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs. "Cooperation and great teamwork on the part of Australia's Defence Materiel Organisation, the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy and the Hornet Industry Team have enabled the first RAAF Super Hornet to be delivered within budget and ahead of schedule."

The remaining 23 Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, will be delivered to the RAAF throughout 2010 and 2011.

"The RAAF Super Hornet will bring a new generation of air power to Australia," said Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, RAAF. "Its advanced, networked weapons system will deliver enhanced air combat capability across the spectrum of air-to-air, strategic land attack and maritime strike, which is so important for Australia. It is a true multirole aircraft and there's a lot of excitement on the ground in the Air Combat Group about its arrival."

The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 of the F/A-18F multirole fighters, making that country the first international Super Hornet customer.

"The rollout of the first RAAF Block II Super Hornet is an important and exciting milestone for all of the Australian and U.S. team members, who have accomplished a great deal of significant work to make this event possible," said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 and EA-18 program manager, PMA-265. "Our long and successful relationship has been mutually beneficial during the RAAF classic Hornet program, and taking this next logical step with the acquisition of the Super Hornet is a win-win for both nations. The Super Hornet's inherent tactical capabilities and ability to force multiply speak for themselves."

The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 395 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.

Source: Boeing


F/A-18E/F Super Hornet INFO:

Both the Super Hornet single seat E and two-seat F models convert quickly from one mission type to the next with the flip of a switch to provide consistent air dominance:

*Day/night strikes with precision-guided weapons
*Anti-air warfare
*Fighter escort
*Close air support
*Suppression of enemy air defense
*Maritime strike
*Reconnaissance
*Forward air control
*Tanker
*Payload Flexibility

The Super Hornet's versatility applies to its weapon stations and payload types:

*11 weapon stations
*Supports a full complement of smart weapons, including laser-guided bombs
*Carries a full spectrum mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance

The Super Hornet is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines:

*Distinctive caret-shaped inlet to provide increased airflow and reduced
radar signature
*22,000 pounds (98 Kn) of thrust per engine, 44,000 pounds (196 Kn) per
aircraft

Flight qualities:

*Highly departure resistant through its operational flight envelope.
*Unlimited angle-of-attack and carefree flying qualities for highly effective
combat capability and ease of training.
*Reconfigurable digital flight-control system detects and corrects for battle
damage.
*Upgradeability
*Long-term designed in versatility ensures the Super Hornet's investment
value.

Current upgrades delivered in the Block Two configuration include:

*Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
*Advanced targeting forward-looking infrared (ATFLIR) system
*Joint-helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS)
*Multifunctional information distribution system (MIDS)
*Advanced aft crew station
*Fibre channel switch for increased data processing capability
*Fully integrated weapons systems and sensors for reduced crew workload
and increased capability.

 

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Australia accepts first Block II Super Hornet
8 JULY 2009

ST. LOUIS -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) accepted its first F/A-18F Super Hornet during a roll-out ceremony at Boeing’s manufacturing facility here today.

Twenty-four F/A-18F aircraft, built on a common U.S. Navy configuration, are scheduled to be delivered to the RAAF within the next three years.

The RAAF’s Super Hornet was unveiled to an audience of several hundred attendees, including representatives from the Australian government, U.S. government and industry partners responsible for building the F/A-18F aircraft.

“The unique partnership we have enjoyed with the Royal Australian Air Force for many years has enabled us to deliver this aircraft on time with the capability it requires,” said Capt. Mark Darrah, F/A-18 & EA-18G program manager.

The F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II aircraft is a multi-role strike fighter performing a variety of missions, including precision day and night strike, fighter escort, close-air support, aerial refueling and suppression of enemy air defense.

RAAF Super Hornets will also feature the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Tracking twice as many targets as the radar it replaces, the AESA features active electronic beam steering, which allows for the nearly instantaneous repositioning of the radar beam.

“The outstanding performance of the APG-79 systems in the fleet continues to exceed expectations,” said Darrah. “Boeing and Raytheon have provided the warfighter with a cutting-edge radar that is demonstrating phenomenal performance and reliability in the fleet today. The RAAF will now enjoy that superb capability.”

The AESA radar also allots for more time for persistent target observation and information sharing before critical decisions are made. This results in increased aircraft effectiveness and aircrew survivability. The AESA provides the platforms with increased range and resolution, allows the tracking of more targets than current systems in use and features high-resolution SAR maps at long ranges.

“We are grateful for your support and proud to deliver this new, twenty-first century capability to the Royal Australian Air Force and the people of Australia. Today truly marks the beginning of a new generation of airpower for Australia,” said Bob Gower, vice president F/A-18 programs, Boeing.

Twelve of the F/A-18F aircraft on order will be wired on the production line for future upgrade as electronic attack EA-18G aircraft.

The government of Australia is the first foreign military sales customer flying the F/A-18F aircraft, procured under a U.S. Navy multi-year II contract.

“The roll out of Australia’s first Block II Super Hornet is a very proud moment for the Royal Australian Air Force and me personally,” said Air Marshal Mark Binkskin, chief of RAAF. “I can assure you that the men and women of number one squadron are eager to get their hands on the Rhino. It is a great leap forward for Australia, and the beginning of our future air combat capability.”

The first RAAF Super Hornet is scheduled for delivery to the Navy for flight testing in the coming weeks, and the first in-country delivery is slated for spring 2010.

“The partnership between the Royal Australian Air Force, the U.S. Navy and Boeing is remarkable,” said Rear Adm. David Philman, U.S. Navy Air Warfare director. “Together, we are taking this aircraft to places in the world where mission success is essential.”

 

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Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet for Australia Takes Flight
21 JULY 2009

The first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet takes off from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis July 20 to begin its initial flight. Boeing [NYSE: BA] unveiled the aircraft July 8 at the company's Integrated Defense Systems facility in St. Louis.

Boeing will complete delivery of the first of 24 F/A-18Fs to the RAAF later this month, three months ahead of schedule. The remaining 23 Super Hornets, each equipped with the Raytheon-built APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, will be delivered to the RAAF throughout 2010 and 2011.

Source: The Boeing Company

 

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High Tech Training For Super Hornets
AUSTRALIA - 8 DECEMBER 2009

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science today announced that training to maintain Australia’s new F/A-18F Super Hornets has taken a technological leap with the introduction of a Visual Environment Maintenance Trainer to RAAF Base Amberley.

“This week a group of Air Force’s best and brightest aviation technicians are familiarising themselves with the latest innovation in aircraft maintenance training equipment in preparation for the arrival of the new Super Hornet aircraft,” Mr Combet said.

“The Visual Environment Maintenance Trainer consists of a mock Super Hornet cockpit with touch screens that allow Air Force maintenance students to perform diagnostic and system functional checks in a realistic setting.”
“The cockpit simulator provides students with the opportunity to work on complex maintenance issues without actually being in a real aircraft. This high tech problem solving can be monitored by an instructor who can bring up teaching points as the student works toward finding a fault.”

“The new Trainer can also be quickly reprogrammed to create new faults and allow students to do more diagnostic analysis in a shorter period of time than could be performed using other training tools.”

“These new features will ensure that Air Force is at the forefront of Australian aviation technical training and will allow students to gain greater experience on Super Hornet systems before applying their new skills to real aircraft.”

Australia is acquiring 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets to aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability and allow Air Force to retire the F-111 fleet. The Super Hornets will begin arriving at RAAF Base Amberley next year.

Currently Super Hornet maintenance training is being conducted in the United States. It is expected that all Super Hornet maintenance training will be conducted in Australia from January 2010.


Source: Australian Department of Defence

 

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Boeing receives Australian Super Hornet Sustainment Contract
16 DECEMBER 2009

The project to acquire Australia’s new fighter aircraft, the Super Hornet, took another step forward today with the signing of the sustainment contract with The Boeing Company.

The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, said today that the signing of the Super Hornet Aircraft Sustainment Contract is worth approximately $20 million per annum, and provides for about 74 jobs at RAAF Base Amberley for three years.

“Under the contract the Boeing Company will provide engineering, supply chain management and maintenance services to support F/A-18F Super Hornet operations,” Mr Combet said.

“The contract is vital for effective support of the RAAF’s fleet of Super Hornets when they arrive at RAAF Amberley early next year.

“Boeing Defence Australia, the major sub-contractor to The Boeing Company, will provide a significant portion of the labour resources.

“This contract integrates local Australian expertise with Boeing’s experience as the major support provider to the U.S. Navy’s Super Hornet fleet which will deliver the best solution for sustaining our new Super Hornets.”

The Super Hornet project is running on budget and ahead of schedule.

“The first four of Australia’s Super Hornets will arrive at RAAF Base Amberley in March/April 2010 with the remaining aircraft to be progressively introduced throughout the remainder of 2010 and 2011,” Mr Combet said.

Australia is acquiring 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets to aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability, and allow Air Force to retire the F-111 fleet in December 2010.


Source: Australian Department of Defence